Spring Updates

It's been a busy winter and I have not published anything in some time.  I wanted to share a lot of photos with you because I feel they highlight  improvements made and provide some educational benefits as well. Before we get into all the photos I wanted to give everyone a sense of direction our staff is heading.  Once aerification is completed we will be focused on getting the course in prime shape for member play along with completing the bunkers on number 2 and 15 to tie that whole area together.  We will not be completing any more bunkers in the future per the request of our new architect, Mr. Jay Blasi.  If you are not familiar with Jay check out his website to get some more info, www.jayblasi.com  Along with getting the course  back in shape we will also be going through the bunkers with our roto-tiller to bust up the sand to try and provide a more consistent sand.  Once that's completed we will be focused on daily course preparation for the next few months.  We are excited for the upcoming season and look forward to any challenges we are faced with throughout the summer.  See you on the course.

All of the photos in the section below are from the renovation to #17 bunkers.  For those of you wondering, we are going to hold off on the last two on 17 until we complete #2-15 bunkers.  2-15 will be our focus for the next few weeks.

#17 Bunkers 

Original Shape

We are suppose to have 4 inches of sand not 3 feet.  Just another photo that sums up why are bunkers need rebuilt.

Starting to add new shape.

Adding soil to make new bunker floor

New Rough shape of Bunker

Subsurface Irrigation installed.  The product is called Neta-Fim and it's the plastic tubing that is wrapped around the bunker edge.

Here is the completed bunker minus the sand.  Notice the Sta-Lock material installed over the soil.  This is the material that will prevent our soil from contaminating the sand along with maintaining the internal integrity of our bunker for years to come.  No more bunkers with 3 feet of sand.

Finished Product minus one more load of sand we are waiting on delivery for.

Here are just a few more shots of the bunkers on the right side.  You will see a lot of similarities with the pictures above.

Same scenario here.  We only want 4" of sand.

Sta-Lock material installed along with new shape.

Completed Right side Bunkers.

#10 Ladies T- Complex

Here you will find a bunch of pictures from the construction to the ladies T-box on number 10.

Original T box

Adding Soil and beginning to shape.

Almost there.  Getting ready to remove old sod and sand-cap T in preparation for new sod.

Adding Sand for Sand Cap

Laying the Sod.

Finished Product

#4 Hedge Row

Removal of outdated and extremely woody hedge row.

Installation of new paver walk paths

Finished Product

#13 T- Complex

While completing this T complex we removed all of the coyote bush along the left side to open of your views of the preserve.

 Removal of coyote bush to expose oaks and views. The 3 Tree in need of some improvement

3 tree completed.  The T is no longer sliding off the hillside.  Along with leveling you can see how much extra T-space we added.

Original Size before addition.

Expansion, and new sod being installed.

Tenacity Herbicide Applied

For any one that has noticed the yellow or white spots in a few of our T's, it's the result of a herbicide applied to selectively kill bent grass.  A lot of our T's have small patches of bent grass that are unappealing to the eye and provide an inconsistent surface.  Tenacity was released this spring and will allow us to control bent in our rye surfaces.

Notice the patches of Bent

Tenacity doing it's job. We will make one more application that will hopefully allow for a 100% stand of rye in our T's.

Tree Communication

I have been receiving a lot of feedback about tree removal and I wanted to address a broad overview and a few specifics.  Trees are obviously a very important asset to the club and we want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect them and ensure great health.  A major step taken to maintain our trees was to hire  Barry Coate and Associates to provide a detailed audit of our trees.  The little silver tags on every tree are proof of Barry's examination of 1,600 trees that inhabit our property.  We have a manual corresponding to each tag that gives an overview of the trees health, current disease and recommendation to keep or remove along with a recommendation to replace.  This is one piece of  information we use for selection of removal.  Here are some photos of what the manual contains.

Tree Manual

Each individual tree shown here.  The "R" at the far right indicates removal.

Photos showing infected areas

1 More Photo

About 3 years ago the Golf and Greens Committee started a sub-group the "Views Committee" to select specific trees for removal to enhance our views along with improving playability.  We would put together a priority list for each year due to the fact our tree budget allows for 40K on an annual basis. Here are a few notes taken our fist meeting in 2009.  We have met every year since and if anyone would like those notes I can get them to you.  This is another piece of info we use for removal.

(Revision 1)

November 2, 2009

Report from the “Improve our Views” subcommittee

Subcommittee Members:  Terry Eastham, John Pietrzac, Sue Rose, (Andrew Morgan)

On November 2, 2009, the Views Subcommittee spent three hours viewing the course with the objective of improving the views of and from our golf course.  Although the primary focus was on trimming and removing trees, several non-tree recommendations are included in the list below.

Since the annual tree-trimming program is already underway, the highest priority (and less controversial) recommendations will be implemented almost immediately; specifically the recommendations for the #1, #4, #7 and #13 holes.  Comments and further prioritization of the remaining list of recommendations can be considered as/if needed.

Andrew also took notes that hopefully agree with the following:

 Highest Priorities (for immediate implementation):

1)      1^st FAIRWAY --- Trim right side of pine tree #10 (on right side of fairway just off the T-box); also trim adjacent pine tree #9.

2)      4^TH FAIRWAY --- Remove pine trees #262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267 on right side of fairway near the green.  (Redwoods are already planted in this line to replace the removed trees).

3)      7^th T-BOX---Remove the two larger trees behind the T-box; clean out &/or trim the lower lying shrubbery.  Leave the oak tree behind the red-berry bush to the left of the T boxes.

4)      7^th GREEN---Remove tree #482 (leaning over D. Zepp’s House) & do not replace.  Replace the tree (trunk) #464 with a liquid amber.  Also remove scrub tree #474.

5)      13^th FAIRWAY---Remove the obviously dead tree on the left side o f the Fairway.  Consider trimming the tree(s) that is on the center-right side of the fairway (down in the hole) near the 1-tree T-box.

6)      13^th FAIRWAY---Remove the dead tree on the left side of the fairway at the turn.  Also remove the single pine tree on the left side of the fairway at the turn (that is in front of a nice oak tree).

Other Course Areas:

7)      9^TH FAIRWAY---Remove pine tree #596 on left side of fairway near the newly seeded area.  Re-locate an existing small redwood to the general area of #596.

8)      9^th FAIRWAY---Remove the “leaning” pine on the right side of fairway.

9)      5^th FAIRWAY---Remove pine tree #363 on the left.

10)   14^th FAIRWAY---Remove the small pine(?) tree on left side of fairway (near 1-tree Tbox).  Replace with a liquid amber(s).

11)   14^th GREEN AREA---Remove the ugly pine tree #370 to the left of the green.  

12)   14^th GREEN AREA---Remove pine trees #371, 372 and 373 and replace with liquid ambers or prune trees.

13)   18^th T-BOX---Trim/thin the oak tree to the left of the 2-tree T box.  Also trim/thin the oak to the left of the T box that is above the 17^th green.

14)   18^th FAIRWAY---Plant three redwood trees to the right side of the fairway (and right side of the cart path) to block the view of the house with the junker Volkswagon.  Every member & guest riding a cart has to look at this back yard today!

15)   12^th FAIRWAY---Consider topping the two very tall pine trees that are on the right (near the right side of the 15^th green).

16)   11^th T-BOX---Consider topping oaks on left???

17)   11^th T-BOX---Consider thinning/topping tall trees around the 16^th green to open up view(s)???

 Pro-shop and Driving Range areas:

18)   Remove the two birch trees in the planting bed (right side of pro-shop looking out).  Trim/thin/re-do the remaining shrubbery that is currently overgrown. 

19)   (Later) remove the large Juniper tree that is at the very end of the electric storage shed.

20)   Trim the large cypress located near the top of the parking area (driving range side).

21)   (Later) replace the single pine tree that is to the left and above the 9^th green (above the driving range) with several liquid amber or prune trees.

22)   Remove/trim two tall pines to the right side of the driving range.

23)   Lower the height of the hedge that backs the 9^th green by 1-2 feet so that a view down the 9^th fairway is possible.

24)   Lower the height of the hedge surrounding the 1^st T box so the pro shop can see who/when/if anyone is on the T.

Other:

25)   Remove the old and almost-dead tree trunk near the snack shop.  It will never recover to look good!

26)   18^th FAIRWAY “short-cut dirt path” ---Consider eliminating this path OR making it look like it is actually a featureJ.  A slightly curved path (compared to the current linear line) that enters the area more to the left than now and exits more to the right than now…with a low maintenance “mandina” planting along the lower side of the path (to hide the path) might work.  This feature can be seen from the club house!

27)   We discussed but did not address the proposal to widen the 2^nd T Box.

We have a beautiful course with beautiful views that can only get better!

(end)

Before I get into any specifics I wanted to touch on one more general theme and that's to promote the trees on our course that our native to our property.  We are trying to provide some continuity throughout the entire course.  Over the past fifty years a lot of trees were planted without much thought put into placement and species.  This is why today we have a lot of trees on the course that don't belong.  Our main focus of the property should be our heritage oaks and beautiful redwoods native to the area.  What's happening is a lot of these smaller "weeds" I call them are taking away from our signature specimens.  Below are a few examples of this.

Here is an example were the canary pine is taking away from our beautiful white oak, not to mention you can't even see the oak in the back ground.  I know some might say "well it provides safety for people on #8 T" were as I feel the oak is providing the safeguard.  This an example were you remove the canary and it will highlight our 100 year old oak.  Items like this will be discussed for the upcoming 2013 tree budget.

Here another example of a poor specimen ( look at the branching structure) at the back of number 15 not only blocking the view of our oak but inhibiting it's growth.

Specifics:

 I have had a lot of feedback concerning the willow at the turn on number 8.  I would like to start off by saying that 95% of the tree removals are approved by the golf and greens committee or the views sub-committee and this specific willow was no different. It was brought to the committee and approved for removal. The removal was based on the fact that this weeping willow was out of place and caused a lot issues for cleanup and turf coverage. Below is a photo of a valley oak that was planted to replace the willow.   I don't think you can argue that fact that  this tree fits the landscape.

Replacement for willow

 Here are a few photos of the removal to the right of number six to open up the view of our water feature along with making the T-shot a little more forgiving.

 Probably one of the most talked about (controversial) tree's since I have been here is the the monterey pine by the approach on number 10.  Like all monterey pines here they are nearing the end and this one is no exception.  I'm sure the removal of this tree will cause emotions both ways.

Will be removed!

 Moving forward I'm sure that we will continue to see a lot more monterey pines pass away.  We will continue to promote healthy vigorous trees that enhance our experience on the course and use our different committees to make those important decisions.  If you would like anymore information regarding trees at the club please don't hesitate to shoot me an e-mail and we could meet to discuss or tour the property.  amorgan@pahgcc.net

Aerial Pictures

Here are a few aerial photos that were taken last week.

Greens Update

The maintenance staff has been very busy over the last two months and I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on some items that we have finished and the direction we will be heading throughout winter.

We can start by saying that this years aerification to greens, T's and Fwy's was the best to date from a quality of core removal and seed germination.

Aerifying in Progress

 Aerification is one of the most important tasks on the maintenance of greens.  The normal aerification requirement is once in the spring and fall with large hollow tines, followed by a heavy topdressing. We also will incorporate a smaller hollow tine in the winter months, followed by a light topdressing.  Listed below are the main reasons that we aerify and why it's so important to our turf's health.

·         Alleviate Compaction, allows the soil to become loosened for better infiltration and air exchange

·         Eliminate and remove unwanted dead organic material or thatch

·         Incorporate new topdressing medium into top layer to provide for healthier and firmer greens

·         Allows greens to breathe so to speak because of the gas exchange that is going on with open holes, providing great oxygen that is vital for the plants survival

·         Improved water absorption because of the decrease in thatch

This Chart shows exactly why we aerify

 Before we started to aerify this fall I'm sure a lot of you noticed some areas of T's that where scalped down to the soil along with the majority of the fairways that where widened.  The obvious reason for doing this is to create more T-space(we need a lot more) and regain our fairway contours that will shrink overtime.  This was completed in conjunction with the aerifying because we can punch these areas and promote a faster recovery with the new germinating seed.  Here are some pics of the T's scalped.

Here is a great picture of the scalping in place along with the aerifying just being completed.  Gives you an idea of how much T-space we are getting back.  This process was completed on all T's where possible.

 We are continuing to improve our lady T-complexes as well.  We had time to re-build the the 13th (1) tree that was in need of some attention.  Along with the a brand-new rebuild we also completed a new walk-path to this T.

New Re-build with Fresh walking path.

The pictures below show new walk-paths that were installed at the request of our lady golfers.

#2 walk-off - #3T

#12 Ladies T

 What we are currently working on:
Our main items right now are native cleanup and re-seed, tree work, and application of hydro-mulch to rough areas.

With water being at the top of our priority list(at all times!) we are continuing to seek ways to install native and eliminate turf to not only save on water but to enhance our aesthetics at the same time.  Here are a few pics of areas that will be accomplishing this.

Here's an area to the left of number 11 we are converting to bed and were able to eliminate 4 irrigation heads.  Probably save us at least 75,000 gallons of water on annual basis.  We will be planting 3 new red-woods in the void area.

 

You can see the area around number 14T that will become native.  These areas area an excellent opportunity to bring in our surrounding native landscape and create some definition for the course.

Tree work:
For those of you that are not familiar with our outside contracted tree service it starts in the first week of October and continues through the end of November.  Our budget allows 40K for this service. In the future we are looking to double this budget due to the increasing death of monterey pines and the need for more removal to open some areas up. Some noticeable trees that have been taken down this year were the big pines on #11 and the willow tree on the corner of #8.  I have had a lot of people ask if we are going to replant anything on number 8 and the answer is yes.  I visited the tree farm yesterday and hand selected a larger valley oak that will be planted within the next few weeks.  Moving forward we will continue to try and provide consistency with our trees on property.  Meaning make space for what's important, our heritage oaks and beautiful red-woods while eliminating species that don't belong in our natural setting.


Projects we will be working on this winter:

Once we finish all native cleanup and re-seeding we will shift our focus to some bunker and T projects.
We will be looking to complete the bunkers on #2 and #15 that have not been completed yet.  The only thing that would hold us back from this project is being able to obtain the bunker floor material, "sta-lock."  The other project will be to re-build the #10 ladies T.  This T is way to small and we will be looking to enlarge the current T to create more T-space and give the ladies a more friendly T-shot.  Once these projects are completed we will be looking to possibly start some bunkers on #17.